Author's hometown celebrates Clovis Crawfish

In Eunice’s relative brief history, there is one literary character that has earned the spotlight and that’s Clovis Crawfish.

Eunice was officially declared a place growing out of the Cajun prairie 128 years ago.

Clovis was born out of the fertile imagination of author Mary Alice Fontenot 61 years ago.

On April 9, Clovis Crawfish’s 61st birthday was celebrated at the Eunice Depot Museum.

More than 50 people came to join the celebration, possibly eat some of the birthday cake and speak with Julie Landry, Mary Alice’s daughter and the new Clovis Crawfish author.

Eunice Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux, who organized the party from 1 to 3 p.m., said, “ I‘m excited we are getting this many people. Last year we were supposed to have the 60th anniversary of Clovis and with the pandemic Ms Julie couldn’t come. So, we are doing a belated birthday party, which works out since the book did come out in 1961 and he is 61 years old this year.”

There were about half-dozen youngsters present as Landry began signing books that were for sale.

“I think the kids are enjoying it too and they they are waiting for the birthday cake,” Thibodeaux said.

Clovis author Fontenot was a school teacher, reporter and editor for many newspapers including The Eunice News. Eighteen of the Clovis books were written by Fontenot in a series that featured a variety of critters.

Landry, who grew up in Eunice, has added two books to the Clovis series and says she plans more.

Debbie Charlie, of Ville Platte, says she became a Clovis fan through her daughter and grandchildren.

“When my daughter was in elementary school at Sacred Heart in Ville Platte, Ms Mary Alice Fontenot had come a couple of times to introduce her books. So, of course I had to buy a book and they are signed,” she said after Landry had signed her armful of Clovis books.

“Slowly I started getting them until I have one of every one, “ she said.

Charlie started following Clovis Crawfish 25 to 28 years ago.

“I’m just excited and look forward and hopefully they’ll have more of them,” she said.

During the city’s 125th birthday celebration in 2019, a monument to Clovis Crawfish was unveiled in front of the museum.

The Clovis Crawfish begin from Fontenot’s kindergarten class at St. Edmund Elementary.

Many of the characters were from Eunice.

Clovis is named for a former police chief, Clovis Durio. Leo and Laurice Lightning Bulb were named after Leo and Laurice Ardoin, owners of an electrical supply business. The Red Birds are the Soileaus of Eunice.

In an email before Saturday’s birthday party, Landry wrote:

“I think the books have endured for several reasons. They started basically at the beginning of the Cajun “renaissance” when people here began to take pride in their heritage. Now they have become part of that heritage, with people buying them for their great-grandchildren. Each book offers a good story. The illustrations appeal to children. Children can relate to the characters. Each book contains one or more interesting facts about nature. Each book contains a lesson about friendship, cooperation, diversity, etc. The use of French expressions and the pronunciation guides add cultural and educational dimensions. The songs with simple piano accompaniment allow children to practice still other skills.”